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Felidae Behavior

I’m a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant with 20+ years of experience helping cats and their people.

I work with clients worldwide to address behavior challenges using science-based, positive reinforcement methods.

20/04/2026

I’m just getting back after a vacation in the Galapagos Islands and I'm still trying to process it all (and recover from 24 hours of travel).

What struck me most wasn’t just the wildlife—it was how much animals, their welfare, and their environment are prioritized. Protections have been put in place and you can feel how much the locals care. Wildlife is respected, given space, and allowed to simply exist. Because of that, so many of them show little fear of people.

There’s honestly no good way to describe what it feels like to swim in crystal-clearwaters alongside sharks, rays, sea lions, penguins, iguanas, turtles, endless types of fish, and more birds than I could possibly name (all in one afternoon).

If you love animals, the Galapagos Islands belongs on your bucket list. It’s one of the most extraordinary places I’ve ever experienced.

And we all know that kitty toes are the cutest, but did we know that giant tortoise toes are also adorable?!?

30/03/2026

Frankie had her electro chemotherapy last week. It went really well, but when I picked her up, I was given a list of care instructions, a bunch of meds, and changes we would have to make to our routine and her diet.

It was overwhelming.

And it made me think about my clients.

Because when people come to me, they’re often already exhausted… and then I hand them a plan that involves changing multiple things in their cat’s world. I completely understand that it can feel like too much.

So here’s what I remind them (and what I had to remind myself):

You don’t do everything at once.

You pick one thing.
You get that stable.
Then you build from there.

For us, it started with meds. Just figuring out when and how to give them without stress (thank goodness we had done pill training already!).

Then we moved on to routine. We’re still figuring this out, but once we do, I’ll start working on changes to her diet.

Taking it one step at a time has made this manageable and a little less stressful.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your cat’s behavior or care plan, start smaller than you think you need to.

It matters more that it’s sustainable than perfect.

17/03/2026

With a bit more time indoors this week, I’ve been using it to focus on continuing education.

This week, I’ve took advantage of a webinar offered through . Learning from other professionals in the field is one way I can keep improving the way I support my clients and their cats.

Even after 9 years in this field, I still look for opportunities to learn. The science of behavior is always evolving, and staying current is part of doing this work responsibly and ethically.

It also means that when I’m working with a client, I’m not relying on outdated ideas or guesswork—I’m using approaches grounded in current, evidence-based practices.

I care a lot about doing this work well, and continuing to learn is a big part of that.

10/03/2026

No matter what type of case I’m working on, at the end of a meeting, when I ask clients if they have any questions, someone almost always asks how they can trim their cat’s nails without losing a finger.

While there’s a full protocol you can work through, I’ve found a lot of success by starting small and keeping the experience positive. Over time, that helps build trust with your cat and makes the process much easier.

In the beginning, even getting one nail is a success.

When I adopted Frankie, she did not want to let me cut her nails. I looked for ways to keep the experience positive and experimented with things like giving her frozen Churu as a distraction. That first time, she let me cut two.

As she realized I wasn’t going to force the issue or fight with her, she stuck around and started letting me do more. When I wasn’t sure how tolerant she’d be, I’d have her stepfather nearby so he could help distract her if needed.

Now I know I can usually do it on my own. I keep the trimmers nearby and take advantage of those moments when she’s snoozing on my lap. If she starts to fuss, I do what I can and get the rest another time.

Some days it’s all ten nails. Other days it’s one or two.

24/02/2026

When someone contacts me to help with an intercat aggression case, I look at the big picture. Can the cats ever get along? Do they groom each other, sleep together, play, or spend time in the same space together? If so, I'll approach that case differently than if they don't exhibit any friendly behaviors and can't safely be in the same space together.

In this case, Nicolas has been occasionally attacking his sister, Nora. Most of they time, they get along, play and spend time in the same areas. The times he's gone after Nora, it has been scary enough for her, that she's lost her bladder so her person knew that they needed to intervene.

I'm not recommending separation. Instead, we're looking at ways to improve the environment, give Nicolas more healthy outlets for his energy, and teaching him alternate behaviors through target training, stationing, and pattern games.

The goal isn’t just to stop Nicolas’ unwanted behavior, but to give both cats the skills and structure they need to live together more comfortably.

If your cats aren’t always getting along and you’re wondering how to improve their relationship, I’m here to help.

09/02/2026

50 feels suspiciously adult. I’m not sure I signed up for this.

I’m traveling this week and will be mostly offline. I’ll be checking email daily, but responses may be slightly delayed as I’m easing into this new decade.

19/01/2026

When I first started working in this field, house-soiling cases made me nervous. I knew how often cats are rehomed or euthanized because of this issue, and I felt a lot of pressure to “fix” the problem quickly.

Over time, and with more experience, I actually came to enjoy these cases. I found that it’s often possible to make a meaningful difference in a relatively short amount of time.

Of course, some cases are more complex than others. One important factor to consider is how long a cat has been eliminating outside the litter box. The longer a behavior has been happening, the more time and patience it may require.

When Charlie’s person contacted me, they shared that he had been peeing outside the litter box since he was adopted—ten years ago. That detail definitely made me pause.

We got to work right away, and the client implemented the recommendations immediately. Within a week, Charlie was using the litter box constantly for the first time in 10 years. I was probably even more surprised than the client when I received that update.

Cases like this are a good reminder that it’s rarely “too late” to ask for help—and that progress is possible, even after years of frustration.

12/01/2026

Cats thrive on routine and predictability. For us humans, though, I believe that it’s important to step outside our usual routines and change things up once in a while.

For the most part, I keep Frankie’s routine very consistent. This December, I had the opportunity to house sit in the country for three weeks, and I decided to take it. For me, it was an introvert’s dream—quiet, solitude, and plenty of downtime over the holidays.

Frankie had a period of adjustment where she spent the first few days hiding in a drawer, but after that, she settled into a new routine of her own. We just got home this week, and while I was adjusting back to our normal schedule, she very helpfully reminded me when I forgot something - like filling up her food puzzle.

05/01/2026

Happy 2026!

Even though the end of the year can be hectic, I hope everyone was able to get a bit of rest.

I personally don’t subscribe to New Year’s resolutions. Meaningful change doesn’t happen because the calendar says it’s time—it happens when someone is ready. My work is about meeting people where they are, not where they think they should be.

I’m currently working with a client who has been living with a house-soiling issue for over ten years. While it may have been easier to address earlier, she wasn’t ready then. Starting before she was prepared would likely have led to frustration and failure.

Whether you’re dealing with an issue that’s been ongoing for years, or something you’re simply worried might come up in the future, I’m here when you’re ready—now or ten months from now.

08/12/2025

Over the next month, I’ll still be working—if Frankie allows it—but I’ll be taking a short break from social media.

I’m continuing to support all current clients and I’m still accepting new clients during this time. Stepping back from posting simply gives me more space to slow down, reset, and be intentional about my work, so I can show up fully for the cats and families I support.

I’ll be back soon. Until then, Frankie will continue her very important role as my unofficial supervisor.

01/12/2025

When I adopted Frankie, I was super gun-ho and wanted to do ALL the training. Even though she is young and doesn't need medication, I did some pill training. After a time, I didn't keep up with it in lieu of working on more fun or useful behaviors. Fast forward to now where I found I needed to give her a one-time pill. It was formulated into a chewable treat AND she is food crazy, but I've seen cats reject these treats so I wanted to refersh her on pill training in preparation.
I did a few rounds of pill training and then held my breath when I subbed in the medication. Luckily she was so invested in the game, she didn't even notice and she inhaled the med.
Knowing some techniques like this can make the process of medicating your cat an easy and positive experience for everyone!
#

24/11/2025

Thanksgiving can be overwhelming for many cats—extra people, noise, and changes in routine. One of the simplest ways to help is to give your cat access to a safe, quiet space where they can retreat on their own terms.

High perches are especially helpful because they offer distance, safety, and control. Cats can still be social and feel safe at the same time in common spaces. Frankie loves having a spot like this when she needs to feel safe, and your cat might appreciate the same option during the holidays.

Wishing everyone (and their cats) a calm, comfortable Thanksgiving week.

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